Constable Henry Clay Walker

Henry Clay Walker

Constable Henry Clay Walker was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a subject for speeding on the west side of the Stonewall County Courthouse.

Constable Walker made complaints against the subject for the offense of driving an automobile upon the public highway in excess of the speed allowed by law, and warrants for the arrest of Daugherty were issued and placed in the hands of the constable. Constable Walker found the subject sitting in his car on the street of Aspermont, informed him that he had warrants for his arrest, and requested him to get out of his car and go to jail. The subject declined to comply with this request, whereupon the constable attempted to handcuff and arrest the suspect. The man drew a pistol from the car's glove compartment and shot the constable four times, who fell to the sidewalk and expired.

The subject drove to the courthouse and surrendered to the sheriff. Constable Walker had arrested the subject previously, and the subject had instituted a civil action for damages and recovered a judgment in a nominal sum for an illegal arrest. The subject argued self-defense, but the jury convicted him and sentenced him to 3 years in prison. The appeals court upheld the conviction.

Constable Walker was elected Constable of Precinct 1 for almost two years. He was defeated for re-election in the primary and was completing his term of office. Constable Walker was also employed by the City of Aspermont to direct and control traffic. He was survived by his wife and two children.

He is buried in the Big Valley Cemetery in Hardeman County.